Portable seesaw



June 9, .1936. H. F. HUSTIED PORTABLE SEESAW Filed Oct. 18, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet Fkk Ill] June 9, 1936. H. F. HUSTED 2,043,894

PORTABLE SEESAW Filed Oct. 18, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. F. HUSTED June 9, 1936.

- PORTABLE SEESAW Filed Oct. 18, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 HarryFll'usfed June 9, 1936. H. F. HUSTED PORTABLE SEESAW 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Oct. 18, 1955 3mm HarryE-Huskd Patented June 9, 1936 UNETED STATES PORTABLE SEE SAW Harry F. Husted, Benton, Pa., assignor to Tittisanna A. Morie, Tomhichena, Pa.

Application October 18, 1935, Serial No. 45,656 10 Claims. (01. 272-54) This invention relates to a portable seesaw, and has for one of its objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to to insure for satisfactory teetering when the device is used by persons of different weights.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to including a pair of carriers, one capable of being angularly adjusted relative to the other for decreasing its leverage without changing that of the other whereby a satisfactory teetering action is had when the device is used by persons of different weights.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to including means to provide for a satisfactory teetering action when the device is used by an adult and a child.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a pair of oppositely disposed tiltable carriers mounted upon a common pivot and each including a seat structure and equalizing means for the latter and with the said means of the carriers being mounted at one end on a common pivot and at their other ends pivotally connected to the seat structures.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a detachable pivoting coupling connection for each end of the equalizing means of a carrier.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a seesaw which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, portable, capable of being readily adjusted for use by two persons of different weight to insure for satisfactorily teetering, readily assembled, conveniently repaired when occasion requires and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the seesaw and further illustrating, in dotted lines, one of the carriers angularly adjusted with respect to the 55 other,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the seesaw,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 1, on an enlarged scale,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a detail in front elevation showing. 5 the form of coupling plate employed by the carners,

Figure 6. is a detail in sectional plan of a carrier,

Figure '7 is'an edge. view of the plate shown in 10 Figure 5,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in vertical section showing a seat structure pivoted to a carrier, v

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9, Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the seat structure,

Figure 11 is a detail in elevation of a suppo employed forthe seat member of the seat structure, and a I 0 Figure 12 is a perspective view illustrating the form of connection for either end of an equalizing means for the seat structure.

The seesaw includes a portable base I which consists of a pair of bottom members 2, 3 disposed on a lengthwise edge thereof. The members 2, 3 are arranged in parallel spaced relation and are coupled together by a pair of oppositely disposed combined bracing and spacing bars 4 arranged in parallel spaced relation and provided at their ends with inwardly extending flanges 5 abutting against the inner face of the members 2 and anchored to the latter by the holdfast means 6. Secured tothe inner face of the members 2, 3, centrally with respect to the latter, are upstanding oppositely disposed inwardly extending supports 1 formed with vertically disposed parallel spaced upper end terminal portions 8 provided with superposed aligning openings 9, H], II and H Anchored to the bars 4, centrally of the latter, and extendinginwardly and upwardly therefrom'is a pair of oppositely disposed supports l2 having vertically disposed upper end terminal portions l3 arranged in parallelism and each formed with a pair of openings indicated at l4, l5. The supports 1 and I2 are formed of channel irons.

Arranged between the end terminal portions 8 of the supports 7 and the end terminal portions 50,

13 of the supports I2 is a supporting block'formed of V a pair of oppositely disposed sections l6, I! of like form. The inner face of each of said sections near its upper and near its lower end is formed with transverse groooves l8, l9 respec- 55.

V tively. Theinner face of each of said sections groove grooves I 8 and 20 each section is formed with a tapered opening 2| extending from its inner to centrally thereof is formed with a transverse groove 2!! of greater width and depth than the I8 and the groove l9. Between the its side outer face and at right angles 'to said grooves. Each section between the grooves I9 and 26 is formed with a tapered opening 2| which extends from its inner to'its outer side face and is disposed at right angles to the grooves 19 and 20. The end terminal portionsB of the supporting bar 1, extendab ove the sections I6,'l'|. The end terminal portions l3 of the supporting bars l2 have their upper endspositioned'below but in proximity to the upper ends of the sections l6, l '1. The grooves l 8'in the section l6 align to form a circular opening. The grooves IS in the sections l5, l1 align to form a circular opening.

The grooves 20 in thesections l6,'l1 align to form a circular opening. Holdfast means 22 'co- 'actfwith the opening l0 in the end portions 8 connecting and with the opening providedby the grooves I 8 in'sections l6, H for connecting the end terminal portions 8 to the sections l6, l1 and for such sections together. Holdfast means 23 coact with the opening II in the end 7 portions 8Jandwith the opening provided by the grooves IS in 'the'sections I6, I? for connecting the'terminal portions 8 to the sections l6 and I1 and for connecting sections l6, I! together. Ex-

" tending through the openings I4 in the portions I3 and also through the openings 2! in the sec- 7 tions l6, I1 is a holdfast means 24 for connecting the'end terminal portions 13 to the sections l6,

' I1 and for connecting sections l6 and I1 together.

Extending through the openings I5 in the end terminal portions l3 and also through the openings 2W in the sections 16 and I1 is a holdfast means 25- for" connecting the end terminal por' tions l3 to the sections. l6 and I1 and for connecting. the sections l6, lTtogether; The end.

' terminal p'ortionsB and I3, in connection with the holdfastmeans 22, '23; 24 and 25, suspend the sectional block at the upper end of the base I.

The sections l6, H of the block, when'connected together, provide a support'for a tubular bearing i 26 which extends through the opening formed by the grooves 20 in the sections I6, I! and through the opening II in the end terminal portions 8. The tubular bearing 26 extends laterally in opposite directions from the end terminal portions. 8'; Mounted in the bearing 26 and of a greater length than the length of the latter is a pivot shaft 21' having 'reduced'termin'al portions 28," 29iformed 'withperipheral threads and car rying securing nuts 30. 3| respectively. The

junction of the terminalportions 28, 29 with the 7 remaining part of the shaft 21 forms the latter with peripheral shoulders 32,33 respectively.

Extending through the openings 9 of the end terminal portions 8 is a headed bolt v34 carrying a securing nut 35. The belt 34 constitutes a pivot which is common to the equalizing means, to be referred to;-of the carriers, to be referred to.

V 'I'he seesaw includes a pairpf oppositely dis 7 posedicarriers- 36, 31. The carrier 36 consists of "minal portions 40, 4| respectively provided with a pair of oppositely outwardly inclined side bars 38,;39of channel shape cross section. The bars 38,539 are formedwith straight inner end teropenings'42,.43 respectively which are seated on the reduced terminal portions 28, 29 respectively oftheshaft 21 (Figure 4)... The end terminal 'portions 40, 4t abut the shoulders 32. 33 reopenings 50 formed in the bars 38. 39.

the straight edge of the plate 6'1.

clinations and balanced upon shaftl2'l.

.justable.

spectively and overlap and abut the ends of the The end terminal I tubular bearing 26 (Figure 4) portions 40, 4| respectively are formed with openings 44, 45 respectivelyfor a purpose to be referred to. The outer ends of the bars 38, 39

have mounted therein the squared shank 46 of a coupling 41. The latter includes a tubular apertured part 48 integral with and extended from the outer end of the shank 45. The shank is has connected therewith a yoke shaped coupler 51' having its arms 58 formed with openings 59. I

The purpose of couplers 41 and 5"! will be presently referred to. p r V The carrier 31 extends in an opposite direction with respect to carrier 36. Carrier 31 is con- The carrier 7 I structed similar to the carrier 36 with the exception that the inner end terminal portions 66, 6| 1 of the side bars 62,.. 63'overlap spaced aligning offsets 54.55, 65.0n the outer faces of. semi-circula'r plates 6'! formed with openings EBto provide for the mounting of the plates 6'! 'on the reduced end terminals 28, 29 of shaft 21 (Figure 4) The end terminal portions 60, 6| have openings 68 at their free ends and also openings 69"which' register with the openings 68 extendingrthrough' offsets 65 and the plates 61 (Figure 6). The end terminal portions 60; 6| are secured against offsets 64,65, '66 by the holdfast means 10 extending through openings 69 formed in the oiTsets and the plates. The offsets 64, 65, 66 have beveled side edges and the inner faces of the end terminal portions 60,6! of the side ba'rs62, 63 are also beveled whereby said end terminal per-'- tions will snugly engage the offsets (Figure 4).

The end terminal portions 60, 6! extend beyond Each plate 61 is formed with a pair of spaced oppositely disposed arcuate rows of spaced openings. The

1 openings of one row are indicated at H and those of the other row at 12.

This arrangement permits either plate'to be positioned at'either side of a sectional block. The end terminal portions 50, 6| have openings 12;

The openings 12*, 12 register respectively with an opening TI and an opening 12. The openings 68 12 register with openingsnb, 12 respectively. Otherwise than that as stated the construction of the carrier 31 willbe the same as 7 that of the carrier ,36. The equalizing member of the carrier'31 is designated 13.

The plates, and ofi sets 64. 66 have openings 12*, 12 respectively;

The carriers, when the device is in use, move The normal position of the carriers 36; 31 is as shown in fulllines (Figure 1), that is to say, extended at oppositeupward iii-- upwardly and downwardlyalternately in opposite directions. 7

One of 7 the carriers is angularly adjustable relative to the other for decreasing the leverage thereof and by way of example, carrier 36 is shown as being ad- The carriers include coacting means for maintaining the adjustable carrier in its adjusted position relative to the non-adjusted carrier. The said coacting means includes the plates 61,- a selected opening from one of the rows of openings of each plate 61, the openings 44, 45 in the side bars 38, 39 respectively (Figure 4), the headed bolts 73 14 and the nuts l5, 16 arranged on the bolts 73 14. The opening 44 is for registry with an opening selected from one of the rows of openings in one of the plates 61 andthe opening 55 is for registry with an opening selected from one of the rows of openings in the other plate 61. The bolts 13*, M are to extend through the registering openings. The nuts 15, 'ie'are screwed home (Figure 6) whereby the carrier 36 is secured in its adjusted position to the plates 6? and the carriers 36, 3'! are connected together for moving in unison.

At the outer end of-each carrier a seat structure T! is provided consisting of an upstanding bracket 78 of substantially duck-like contour formed of a horizontally disposed bottom part 19, an upstanding outwardly curved intermediate part 8%] and an inwardly extending top part 8!. The bottom part 79 is of materially greater width than top part 8 l. The intermediate part 80 gradually decreases in width from part 79 to part 8i and merges into said parts. The part 79 is of inverted channel-shape in cross section. The part 89 is of channel-shape in sectional plan. The part 85 is of channel-shaped contour in vertical section. The bracket 78 is formed with an opening 82 which extends from the upper portion of part 85 to approximately the transverse center of part it. The portion of the opening 32 in the part 86 is tapered. The portion of the opening 82 in the part 19 is tapered. The tapered portion of the opening 82 in the part 89 is oppositely disposed with respect to the tapered portion of opening 82 in part 19. The part Si is bifurcated, as at 83. The arms of the furcations have aligning openings as. The lower ends of the sides of part 86 have aligning openings 85. The coupler Q7 extends between the lower end of part 85. Extending through openings 85 is a pivot bolt 81 carrying a securing nut 83. The coupling 51 extends into the furcation formed. in the part 8! and carries a bearing sleeve 89. Extending through openings 84 and sleeve 89 is a pivot bolt 95 carrying a securing nut 9!. The couplers 41, at the outer ends of the carriers, pivotally connect the carriers to the bottom of the seat structures. The couplers '1, at the outer ends of the equalizing members, pivotally connect said members to the top of the seat structures. The equalizing members function to maintain the bottom parts '53 of the brackets 18 parallel to the ground during the elevating and lowering of the carriers.

Each seat structure includes a seat member 92 formed of an outer part 93, an intermediate part 84 and an inner part 95. The part 93 is of greater width and length than that of part 94. The latter is of greater widthand length than that of part 95. The part 94 is seated upon the bottom part 19' of bracket 18. The part 95 extends through the opening 82 into the lower end of part 86 of the bracket 18. The part 94 is secured to part 79 of bracket 18 by hold-fast means 95 passing through part 94, the portion of opening 82 in part 19 and clamping against the part 94 and the inner face of part 19 (Figure 8).

The couplers 5'! include shanks 96 which extend (Figure 8) into the outer ends of the equalizing members. Seated upon each equalizing member over the shank 95 of a coupler 5! is a handle bar 91. The latter has a groove 93 to receive an equalizing member. The latter, shank 96 and handle bar 9? are anchored together by theholdfast means 99. r

The openings 68* or 12*"; in connection with openings 121* or 12, openings 44, 45 and. bolts 13 14, will provide for the connecting of the carriers together to be disposed horizontally, that is to say, for one carrier to be a horizontal continuation, of the other whereby the carriers will be disposed at right angles to the base and not at acute and obtuse angles with respect to the base as shown in full lines, Figure 1.

What I claim is:

1. In a portable seesaw, a base structure, a pair of oppositely disposed tiltable carriers extending from said structure, each including a pair of oppositely outwardly inclined horizontal side bars and a horizontal equalizing member above said bars, a common pivot for said bars mounted in said structure, a common pivot for the. inner ends of said members mounted in said structure. above the said other pivot, the inner ends of said carriers having coacting interenga'ging means for detachably connecting them together for moving in unison and to provide for one of the carriers being angularly adjusted relative to the other and to said lower pivot for decreasing the leverage of the adjusted carrier, and a pair of seat struc tures, each being-pivoted at its inner end to the equalizing member and side bars of a carrier.

2. In a portable seesaw, a base structure, a pair of oppositely disposed tiltablecarriers extending from said structure, each including a.

pair of oppositely outwardly iii-"lined horizontal side bars and a horizontal equalizing'member above said bars, acommon pivot for said bars mounted in said structure, a common pivot for the inner ends of said members mounted in said structure above the said other pivot/the inner ends of said carriers having coacting interengaging means for. detachably connecting them together for, moving-in unison and to provide for one of the carriers being angularly adjusted relative to the other and to said lower pivot for decreasing the leverage of the adjusted carrier, a pair of seat structures, each having the top of its inner end aligning with an outer edge of a member, detachable means for pivotally connecting the top of the inner end of a seat structure to the outer end of an equalizing member, and detachable means for pivotally connecting the bottom, of the inner end of a seat structure to the outer ends of a pair of side bars of a'carrier.

3. In a portable seesaw, an upstanding base structure including a vertical block disposed centrally and in proximity to the upper end, an upper pivot supported by said base above said block, a lower pivot supported by, passing through said block and extending laterally in opposite directions relative to said structure, a pair of tiltable oppositely extending carriers, each including a pair of side bars and an equalizing member, said bars being mounted on the extend- 7 ed portions of the lower pivot, detachable means on the inner ends of said equalizing members for pivotally connecting them to the upper pivot in alignment with the top, of the block, adjustable means for detachably connecting the bars of one carrierto the bars of the other carrier to provide for the tilting of the carriers in unison and for the angular adjusting of one or" said carriers relative to the other. and to said lower pivot, a pair of seat structures, detachable means for pivotally connecting the top of the inner end of said, seat structures to the outer ends. of said members, and detachable means for connecting the bottom of the inner side of said seat structures to the outer ends of said bars.

4. In aportable seesaw, an upstanding base I structureincluding a verticalblock disposed centrally and in proximity to the upper end thereof;

an upper pivot supported by said base above said block, a lower pivot supported by passing through said block and extending laterally inopposite directions relative to said structure, a pair .of tiltable oppositely extending carriers, each'ineluding a pair of side bars and an equalizing member, said bars being mounted on theextended portions of the lowerpivot, detachable means on the inner ends of said equalizing members for pivotally connecting them to the upper pivotin alignmentrwith the top of the block,'

adjustable means for detachably connecting the bars of one carrier to the bars of the other carrier. to provide for the tilting of the carriers in -unison, a pair of seat structures, detachable means for pivotally connecting the: top of the inner endof said .seat' structures to the outer ends of said members, and detachable-means for connecting the bottom of said seat structures 5 to the outer ends of said bars, the said means tor connecting theinner ends of the bars of "one carrier to the bars of thegother carrier being so formed to provide for the angular adjusting of one carrier relative to the other and to said 'lower pivot for reducing the leverage of the ad- 'justed carrier and for securing the adjusted carrier in its adjusted position.

,5. In a portable ;seesaw,ran upstanding base structure, a lower pivot carried thereby and extended laterally in opposite directions therefrom, an, upper pivot mountedin the upper end of said structure, a pair of oppositely extending carriers, each'having a part extending at'its inner 40.

end intothe base and mounted on said upper pivot and a pair of parts straddling the base at their inner portions and mounted on the laterally extended portions'of said lower pivot, seat structures pivotally supported from and at the outer ends of the carriers, and coacting interengaging means supported by the carriers for detachably connecting the carriers together to provide for the, carriers operating therunison, the said meansbeing so formed to provide for the angular adjusting of one carrier relative tothe other and to said lower pivot for reducing the leverage of the adjusted carrier and for securing the, adjusted carrier in its adjusted position. 7

6. In a portable seesaw, an upstanding base structure including in proximity to its upper end a centrally arranged suspended vertically disposed block, an upper pivot carried by the base above and aligning with the block, a lower pivot carried by and extending laterally in opposite directions from the block, a pair of oppositely extending tiltable carriers each including an equalizing member pivotally connected at' its inner end with said upper pivot and a pair of side bars straddlingthe base at their inner ends and mounted on the laterally extending portions of said lower pivot, a plate secured to the inner end terminal portion of "each of the side bars of one of the carriers and formed with an a'rcuate rowof spaced openings and with an opening for the passage of the lower pivot, means carried by' the inner end terminal portion of each of V the side bars of the other carrier and coactingv with :a selected opening of one of said rows for connecting the carriers together to provide for the moving of the carriers in unison, said means i r and rows of openings providing for the angular adjusting of one carrier relative to' the other; for decreasing the leverage of the adjusted car- 7 rier, and seat structures pivotally connected to the outer ends of said equalizing members and bars.

7. In a portable seesaw, an upstanding base side bars straddling the base at their inner ends :7

and mounted on the laterally extending portions of said lower pivot, a plate secured to the inner end terminal portion of each of the side bars of one of the carriers and formed with an arcuate row of spaced openings and with an opening for the passage of the lower pivot, means'carried by the inner end terminal portion of each of the side bars of the other carrier and coacting with r a selected'opening of one of said rows for connecting the carriers together to provide for the moving of the carriers in unison, said means and rows of openings providing for the angular adjusting of one carrier relative to the other for decreasing the leverage of the adjusted car-" rier, and seat structures pivotally connected to the outer ends of said equalizing members and bars, said plates having their outer ,faces formed with spaced aligning'ofisets, the inner end ter-V minals of the bars secured to said plates overlapping the said ofisets.

8, In a portable seesaw, an upstanding base structure of skeletonform including a centrally suspended vertical block and a pair of spaced parallel parts extending above the block, an upper pivot carried bysaid parts, a lower pivot carried by, passing through said block, and extending laterally in opposite directions relative to said-structure, a pair of oppositely disposed tiltable carriers having'their inner ends extend,-

ing between said parts and straddling said structure, said carriers at their inner ends being mounted on said upper pivot between said parts and on the lateral extended portions of said lower pivot, said carriers having coacting detachable, interengaging adjustable means at their inrer ends to provide them of the sameleverage, for reducing the leverage of one, with respect to the leverage of the other and for connecting them together to move in unison, the coacting means of one of said carriers mounted o-n s'aid lower pivot, and seat structures connected to the outer ends of said carriers.

structure, a pair of superposed pivots carried by said structure, thelower of said pivots being extended laterally in opposite directions withlrespectto said structure, a pair of oppositely disposed tiltable carriers extended from said strucpivotally connected at its inner end with said upper pivot and a pair of side bars straddling said structure, the bars of one of said pairs being mounted at their inner ends upon the extended portions of said lower pivot, the bars'oi, the

other pair of bars being mounted adjacent their '60 9. In a portable seesaw, an upstanding base ture, each carrier including an equalizing member 7 inner ends upon the extended portions of said' lower pivot, seat structures connected to the equalizing members and said pairs of bars, said pairs of bars having coacting detachable, interengaging, adjustable means to provide for said carriers being of the same leverage, for reducing the leverage of one carrier. with respect to the leverage of the other and for connecting the carriers together to move in unison, the coacting means of one pair of bars being mounted on the extended portions of said lower pivot.

10. In a portable seesaw, an upstanding base structure including a centrally suspended vertical block and a pair of spaced parallel parts extended above the block, an upper pivot carried by said parts and positioned above said block, a lower pivot carried by, passing through said block and extending laterally in opposite directions relative to said structure, a pair of oppositely disposed independent tiltable carriers, each including an equalizing member and a pair of side bars arranged below said member, one pair of side bars being mounted at their inner ends upon the extended portions of the lower pivot, the other pair of side bars being mounted adjacent their inner ends on the extended portions of said lower pivot, means carried by the inner end of each equalizing member for pivotally connecting it to said upper pivot within the upper end of said structure, and means carried by the said pairs of bars for adjustably connecting said carriers together.

HARRY F. I-IUS'I'ED. 

